Stress Reaction and Coping Strategies among Nursing Students in Delhi

Background: Professional education can be a very stressful experience which often affects the physical and mental health. It is important to assess the psychological well being of the nursing students. This study was planned with an objective to identify and analyze the stress, stress reactions and coping strategies among nursing students in response to the stress in a nursing college in Delhi.

Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 139 students of a nursing college in Delhi selected from different batches by purposive sampling method. Data was collected using a self administered questionnaire consisted of items on socio-demographic profile, clinical stress, stress reactions and coping strategies after getting written informed consent. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 17). Coefficient of correlation between clinical stress and stress reaction; stress reaction and coping strategies; clinical stress and coping strategies was calculated and "p" value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: A majority (70.5%) of study subjects were in the age group of 20-22 years, educated up to post high school (83.4%) and belonged to nuclear families (86.3%). The mean clinical score for stress was 56.8 ± 15.7. Maximum number of study subjects (76.97%) reported moderate degree of stress with a mean stress score of 60.18. Study subjects reported both psychological and physical stress reactions but physical reactions (average-160.2) were more evident. Study reveals that anticipated coping and seeking social support were the most common coping strategies.

Conclusions: Effective intervention strategies should be taken for reducing stress among nursing students.